Optimism is the invisible ingredient that powers so much of the incredible progress in society – from entrepreneurs and investors to artists and creatives who believe in something and are optimistic enough to risk their time, money, and reputation. We asked some of the most optimistic folks we know where they think they get their optimism form.
Jess Arce
My natural inclination has always been negative, so optimism has been something I have intentionally worked on my entire adult life. As a young mom, I hung positive quotes throughout my home to help shift my thinking. Over time, I learned that repeating positive mantras can truly change your mindset. Read More>>
Tina Beecham
My optimism comes from faith first. I truly believe that nothing happens without purpose. Even the hard seasons — especially the hard seasons — are shaping something in us. When I experienced a blood clot a few years ago, it forced me to slow down and reflect. It reminded me that life is fragile and sacred. Read More>>
Abigail MacFadden
I come from a line of optimistic women! Both my mother and grandmother always chose to find the silver lining in life and I’ve picked that up from them. When I’m discouraged or experience a setback I call one of them and immediately get a ‘pick me up’ vibe. Read More>>
Dominique Bivens
My optimism comes from faith, pressure, and proof. I’ve learned that pressure doesn’t break you, it reveals you. Every difficult season I’ve walked through forced me to grow. Financial setbacks. Business pivots. and many more. Moments where stability felt uncertain. But instead of shrinking, I chose to expand. That choice changed everything. My faith teaches me that challenges are never random. They’re refining seasons. Read More>>
Styrmir Elí Ingólfsson
I’ve been lucky to grow up in an environment where I was encouraged from an early age. My mother pushed me to take risks, think independently, and take responsibility for what I did. My father is very social and adventurous, and he always showed a lot of pride and encouragement when I accomplished something. That gave me a strong foundation early on. Read More>>
Mike Pickett
Optimism must come from a combination of forces, otherwise we wouldn’t have such a variety of inspiring success stories and tragic failures. My wife broke both arms and legs during a bizarre slip-and-fall on some hidden ice. She willed herself to remain remarkably optimistic through the months-long healing process. Read More>>
Nivedkrishna Thavarayil
My optimism comes from a very simple place: I have never once regretted listening to my gut. It started at eleven years old, a Canon 1100D in my hands and an unreasonable amount of energy for someone who should have been studying. While my classmates were memorising formulas, I was shooting little films for school programs, making art, building things with whatever I had. Read More>>
Evannah Evannah V
My optimism comes from growing up between Belize and Chicago and learning to see the beauty in life, no matter the challenges. I was raised to dream big, believe in myself, and take action on those dreams. I’ve learned to be grateful for every moment, to surround myself with people who lift me up, and to stay a student—always learning, always growing. Read More>>
Renee Ferreira
I’d say my optimism comes from my mindset. I make a conscious effort to look for the good in people and focus on the positive in any situation. I’ve found that being negative doesn’t really change the outcome—it just makes the process harder. Staying optimistic helps me keep perspective, adapt, and keep moving forward, even when things are challenging. Read More>>
Ginger Boyle
My optimism is something I built over time, not something I was just born with. I faced setbacks and tough days, but I always looked for small things to be grateful for. Growing up, I saw that people who kept a little hope did better, so I made it a habit. Read More>>
Francisca Almeida
My optimism comes from the certainty that a clean and organized space has a positive impact on people’s lives. Working in both commercial and residential cleaning, I see every day how my work transforms environments and, consequently, my clients’ routines. Every surface I clean is not just a completed task, but a contribution to the well-being and productivity of those who use that space. Read More>>
Jabbar Walker
It’s hard to explain, but while I value being realistic about life, I’ve realized that a positive mindset brings me hope, makes me feel good, and shapes my reality. Good vibes matter. Read More>>
George Davis
I believe in solving problems. Finding useful solutions in a time where we have so many resources that it can dull the senses in regards to creativity. I crave moments that require me to think outside the box. Optimism is vital in being resourceful. Learning is more than just reading and retaining. You have to be multifaceted in how you receive it. Read More>>
Zaïe
My optimism comes from a stem of things: ranging from other Artists who inspire me, to simple things like being around friends and family. I get my optimism from the environment and people around me; as well as within myself. I have to set a good atmosphere and expectations in order for the good energy to flow freely. Read More>>
Nathanael Smith
I feel like my optimism comes from the fact that I’m creating a career in music, which is something that I truly love. There are always ups and down in whatever you’re doing in life, but I believe that if you’re doing something that you love, it’s much easier to look at the bright side when thing are difficult. Read More>>
Jevante King-Woods
My optimism comes from a real desire to be great and from the people who inspired me to chase my dreams in the first place. We all go through highs and lows, and everyone’s journey looks different, but having children to guide, protect, and inspire keeps me steady. They remind me not to let the difficult seasons dim my belief in what’s possible. Read More>>
Courtney Hunt
Hmm…well, optimism is a conscious choice. I mean, yeah I was fairly positive and upbeat as a child; as a young adult that positivity almost bordered on toxic, and that was a whole issue I had to deal with. But I’ve still had my share of trials, much like anyone, and to remain hopeful is a choice I make. Read More>>
Kyrsten Smith
My optimism comes from a very intentional place. I don’t want the gray, heavy parts of the world to overshadow the glitter and magic of being alive. Those things have their time and their place but not in the everyday. There is so much beauty in the everyday, and I choose to protect my ability to see it. Read More>>
Lucy Liu
I believe optimism is the beginning of all miracles in life. Optimism is not about being loud or knowing it all. Read More>>
Casey Bayles
A lot of my optimism comes from lived experience. I’ve seen firsthand how quickly things can shift when you stay in it long enough. With Hauntless, I spent about two years just grinding. Designing, printing, sending stuff out, trying things that didn’t work, learning as I went. There wasn’t some big moment during that time. It just felt like effort with no guarantee. Read More>>
Pollyanna Blanco
With a name like Pollyanna, the source of my optimism may come as a surprise. Unlike the usual stereotype around my namesake, the tendency I’ve had since childhood, to look for the best in others and in life has been forged and tempered through life’s learning curves rather than from ignoring them. Read More>>
Connor White
My optimism comes from experience more than anything. It has been built over time through small moments that reminded me that things can come together, even when they do not start out that way. I think it started when I was young, baking with my great aunt. I watched simple ingredients turn into something meaningful, something that brought people together. That stayed with me. Read More>>
Narumi Takehisa
I think my optimism comes from choosing to be a little delusional. I tend to believe in the version of reality that I want to see, rather than what other people expect or assume. Interestingly, things started to fall into place when I stopped listening too much to outside voices. Read More>>
Tiffany Napper
It’s in my DNA. My mother always told me to ‘keep a song in my heart,’ a phrase she heard from her aunt growing up, my Great Aunt Margaret. I didn’t fully understand it then, but I can see now how the ‘positivity effect’ shaped me. Read More>>
Nathan Spina
My sense of optimism comes from a lot of pain growing up. I had undiagnosed ADHD as a kid and I got bullied a lot. I don’t know if the two had anything to do with each other but it didn’t make it easy. Even swapping schools or moving between elementary school to middle school to high school, I had this target on my back. Read More>>
Bree Jones
Being in business through really good times (as far as the economy goes) and working through the fallout has taught me to do the best I can everyday, knowing that times will eventually change. In the low and slow times it’s easier to be optimistic about the future and what it has in store because I have seen the highs. It definitely keeps you on your toes. Read More>>
Lucy Bedewi
I think the most optimistic people are the people who know their shadow side and are able to dance with it. When I get rejected, when I feel overwhelmed, when I’m doing big things that scare me– I just sit with it and think ‘how can this go right?’ That simple reframe lets me be with all parts of myself, therefore staying sunny even when things from an outside perspective don’t look like they’re going well. Read More>>
